Green Street Hotel

Our rating:

Green Street Hotel on Ma May Street is a good budget choice in Hanoi if you want to go a step up from a dorm room; it’s not fancy, but it does the job competently for under $20 and plops you in a good location.

Green Street isn’t much to look at from the front: it’s narrow and weatherworn, with bikes crammed outside, travel posters lining each side of the door and remnants of what we assume to be the original name — Old Street Hotel — over the main doors — all so far, so standard for a hotel in Hanoi.

A bit of a squeeze.

Reception at least looks like a reception and not someone’s front room, and although the wooden chairs aren’t the kind you’ll want to relax on, the two computer stations and a travel desk could come in handy. A large table sits beyond the reception desk, where the included breakfast – choice of drink and bread, noodles or rice porridge — is served.

Functional.

Rooms are across four levels with a narrow corridor running front to back: it’s a bit gloomy on the lower floors but grates on the top floor let in a lot more light. We’d opt for a top floor room if you don’t mind the climb — as is usual for hotels like this, there’s no elevator.

Rooms come in three different classes: a small standard inside room, with no window (US$15/16, single/double); larger room at the back, with or without window (US$17 double); and a large front-facing room with window (you’ll have to stump up more than $20 — we were quoted $22 for a double or triple).

All are similar in decor, fixtures and fittings. They’re not inspiring but are clean, with no signs of mould, and they have decent bedding, a TV — not LCD — and a minibar. Bathrooms are a bit worn but still clean and even come with a shower cubicle, which is not common in lower priced rooms like these. Don’t expect any luxuries, but you get a towel and a bar of soap.

Reasonable for the price.

Walk-in pricing is a bit random, with $1 extra being charged for the jump up from single to double occupancy, but triple occupancy — in the rooms with sufficient beds of course — is the same price as for double. Also, the higher up back rooms, with a window, are the same price as the lower rooms without a window. Maybe the lack of light is compensated for with a shorter climb. Prices on the hotel website are higher than walk-in rates but Agoda is similar to the walk-in rates we were offered.

The corridors are squeezed too.

Green Street Hotel is located on Ma May Street in the heart of Old Quarter and near to a number of bars, restaurants and shops. It’s less than a 10-minute walk to Hoan Kiem Lake. Dozens of alternative hotels are located nearby with Hanoi Backpackers’ Hostel a few doors down if you prefer a dorm.